Protests Continue Against AT&T's Proposed Cell Tower in Stoddard, NH

In addition to letters and petitions from concerned residents of the townships of Nelson and Stoddard, weighing in again recently against the proposed AT&T cell tower on top of Melville Hill, which would loom over Granite Lake and the nearly 15,000-acre Andorra Forest which adjoins Melville Hill, was Geoffrey Jones, head of the Stoddard Conservation Commission.

While Jones has spoken publicly before the Stoddard Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA) on numerous occasions during the last six months of hearings, he recently sent a letter and documents to Stephen Delsordo of the Federal Communications Commission's Office of Historic Preservation, which is considering a petition regarding the historic aspects of the region:

"Dear Mr. Delsordo,

I understand that you are involved in the permitting process associated with AT&T application to place a cell tower on Melville Hill, in Stoddard, NH.

As a professional forester with close to 40 years of experience, a 4th generation resident of Stoddard, and chairman of the Stoddard conservation commission, I would like to offer the following, for your consideration:

As a sole proprietor of a forestry consulting and hazardous tree removal business.....who often works alone, I seek the best possible cell coverage.  (I am not a NIMBY).  The current proposal to locate a tower on Melville Hill in Stoddard WILL NOT provide as good coverage as a proposed two tower alternative; 

1. I have worked arduously with a private cell tower specialist to identify 2 alternative sites that will provide BETTER coverage and have little or no impact to the conservation values of the protected lands in Stoddard, as one is located on an existing commercial satelite site (commercial TV) with power and road access and the other has good nearby access and power.  The line-of sight software used to make the preliminary assessment has been used successfully by this specialist for over 40 years.  To our dismay, AT&T continuously discredits this methodology in the public setting.
2. There is nothing about the AT&T proposal that makes sense, especially when compared to two viable alternative sites......it is as though their minds were made up well in advance.  While they claim to have assessed nearly 50 alternative sites.......the effort appears to be as part of a procedural effort with little sincerity.

Attached, please find a copy of the distilled remarks made to the Stoddard ZBA as written documentation expressing our concerns about the proposal and offering a win/win solution with viable alternative sites."

Nelson township resident and Selectman John D. Halter also wrote Delsordo in protest:

"I have been a year-round resident on Granite Lake for almost thirty years.  I have also served the Town of Stoddard as an elected Selectmen for close to twenty five of those years.  The AT&T  tower proposed on Melville Hill is a poor solution to the rural communications issues of our region.  Recognizing that NH Route 9 is a part of the Federal Highway System, I know this places a high priority on this project.  Alternative sites have been presented, but AT&T wants no part of them.  Their minds were made up before they started, allowing us to offer alternative sites was to satisfy a procedural requirement only.  Their tone made that clear for anyone attending any of the hearings.

                

Matters to consider:

              

Forrest Fragmentation  - Concern shared by our Conservation Commission of breaking into contiguous forest lands along the Monadnock Greenway (Mt. Monadnock to Mt Sunapee Trail).  Almost 2/3 of Stoddard is in conservation easement, making the town and this tower location unique.  This location is also contagious to the Nye Meadow, land protected by the Audubon Society.

Historic value – Many historic houses and structures line the lake in both towns.  The backside of the lake and was the Keene – Concord Stage route and remains a dirt road to this day.

Native American History – Location of Camp Oahe and burial location of Irene Eastman., daughter of Dr. Charles Eastman.  (I’ve attached appropriate documentation)

Access to Melville Hill – None, they need to create a road and utility access further challenging the issues presented.  Given its height, erosion and contamination of Granite.  Granite Lake is listed as an oligotrophic water body, the most pristine level, by the State of NH.  Protecting that level of quality is a challenge to all, and building this road threatens it.  When asked if building a road when other suggested locations were fully accessible, it was not a concern.  This causes me further concern to the environmental precautions they plan for this new road, over a half-mile in length.    

Property devaluation – Granite Lake properties carry the highest land assessment in Stoddard, and I suspect Nelson too as the lake splits the two towns.  The reason for this high value is embodied in the aforementioned considerations.

Many alternate sites, including one that is already permitted for a cell tower by the Town of Stoddard.  This location is within one mile of Melville Hill and has a road and utilities on-site."

The ZBA will vote for or against AT&T's proposal on Wednesday, May 25 at 7:15 p.m. at the Stoddard Town Hall.